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Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are proud to celebrate one year of Ireland’s first all-electric town bus service in Athlone. Launched on 29 January 2023 under the Department of Transport’s Pathfinder Programme, the service has set a new benchmark for sustainable public transport in Ireland.
During its first year of operation, 11 state-of-the-art zero-emission electric buses completed over 530,000 emission-free kilometres, eliminating more than 400,000 kilograms of tailpipe CO₂ emissions compared with diesel vehicles. The €10 million project, funded by the NTA and operated by Bus Éireann, represents a major step towards Ireland’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
The service, which operates two routes (A1 and A2), is delivered by over 50 employees in Athlone and has recorded 25% passenger growth in 2023. Bus Éireann drivers and mechanics underwent over 500 hours of training to prepare for the launch, ensuring the highest standards in safety and operation.
The Athlone fleet is composed entirely of Enviro200EV single-deck battery-electric buses supplied by British manufacturer Alexander Dennis, whose vehicles are also in service in major UK cities including London and Glasgow.
Building on the success of Athlone, Bus Éireann will continue its electrification journey with 34 double-deck electric buses entering service in Limerick in March. Drivers and staff at the Roxboro depot are currently completing testing and training ahead of the rollout.
Stephen Kent, Chief Executive Officer of Bus Éireann, said:
“We are delighted to mark this milestone for the Athlone service. The launch in January 2023 represents a key step in our commitment to supporting the Government’s Climate Action Plan. We are proud to operate an environmentally friendly and accessible service that helps sustainably connect the Athlone community. The Athlone project, along with the upcoming transition of our Limerick city services to zero-emission buses, demonstrates our dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.”
Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the NTA, added:
“The launch of the all-electric service in Athlone has been a significant milestone on our journey towards a zero-emissions bus fleet for towns and cities across Ireland. Over the past year, the people of Athlone have benefited from buses that are cleaner, quieter, more comfortable and more attractive. The experience gained here with Bus Éireann is invaluable as we roll out similar programmes across the country.”